We start the season against Tottenham Hotspur at home and that was our last fixture we played in the Premier League last year, when we took Spurs to the cleaners by a score 5-1 and with 20 minutes to play when the score was 2-1 we had Mitro sent off.

That defeat cost Spurs second place that season in the Premier League by a side that had already been relegated to the Championship but let’s face it – our team was fantastic that day.

A smiling Rafa Benitez – loved by both Liverpool and Newcastle fans! After the fixtures were announced at 9:00 am this morning Rafa had this to say on the Newcastle United web-site:

“It’s always exciting to see the new fixtures and like the fans, it’s something we all look forward to.”

“It’s a great start at home to Tottenham and a really exciting first game at St. James’ Park for our fans to enjoy.”

“We will all have extra motivation for that game, but it will be a very tough start too because Spurs showed how good they are last season.”

“Of course they were our last Premier League opponents here too, which was a memorable match for everyone, but this time around it will be completely different.”

“The fans will enjoy being at home to Manchester City on Boxing Day. It is always nice for fans to enjoy games against top teams over the Christmas period.”

“We also have a great game to round off the season with Chelsea visiting us on the last day of the season.”

“Aside from that, obviously I look forward to the two games with Liverpool; those days will be extra special for me, but really every game is exciting and every game has its own challenges.”

“It will be nice, too, to come up against Chris Hughton and his Brighton side again this season.”

“This will be Brighton’s first time in the Premier League and the way both our clubs performed in the Championship will make it a special game, I think.”

And yes the games against Liverpool will be very special ones because Rafa was the very popular manager at the Reds and the Scouser fans have never forgotten what the 57 year-old did for them.

Rafa was manager there between 2004 and 2010 and his triumphs included winning the Champions League back in 2005 when the Reds led by Steven Gerrard miraculously came back from 3-0 down against AC Milan at the half to win the game on penalties – the greatest comeback in Champions League final.

Here’s the list of the Premier League fixtures for Newcastle and we have a fairly easy start and Newcastle fans generally reacted positively to the fixtures – let’s hope we can do (very) well next season.

I don’t see any of those four released having a problem finding new clubs and the best of luck to them.

Under better management pre Rafa, apart from Anita of course who did prove himself many times over, I reckon they could have been very good players.

Of the list Ed has compiled as leaving us I’d like to see several given another chance to prove themselves including, Mbabu, Haidara, Mbemba, Saivet, DeJong and possibly some others that don’t immediately spring to mind. Could make the finances stretch further for some marque signings.

Easy fixtures! No such thing, especially at the beginning of the season as every team will want a good start Rafa will no doubt be hammering that message across. St James Park will need to be a fortress again as I don’t see us winning as many away games as last year.

Is it me or are we missing something here, if players like Chris Smalling and Olivier Giroud are available why are we not trying to sign them. Both players have the Prem Exp and can do a job for us, NO? Its getting a little frustrating that we haven not really signed anyone, Astu was on loan with a clause that we could sign him so no real deal done this summer. Its starting to feel like most Newcastle transfer windows, we scout the players for all the clubs in the Prem, why is it once we find one we are thinking about signing we don’t shut the hell up about it. Every time its seems like we look at a player the rags get that info and then Everton, West Ham etc are now also looking at them. Its driving me nuts again, once again summers with the Black and White are causing headaches.

i have a feeling that some of the signings are already wrapped up and will be reveiled together..

i mean…ashley must have given money to rafa to make the signings..cos if not:

1. chinesse could start negotiations at a much lower price, but by investing (lets say) 100 mio, ashley can demand way more from them.. 2. in case chinesse drop out, we’d end up with a poor squad and without rafa..

I suggested this the other day…but have read today that Atletico have an agreement with Chelsea to sign Costa and allow him to go on loan else where until their transfer ban is lifted, probably all rumour though…anyway, if true Rafa should be all over this!!

Hard to believe a takeover is on the cards just when things are finally going well with Ashley. Will his last hurrah be selling us to a right set of Venky’s? This concerns me now. We know nothing about these Chinese investors. Nor their plans for the club. In fact, does anyone even know who they are? It’s took Mike Ashley all this time to finally get it right, then he sells us off to another set of amateurs? This would be the ultimate irony – we get rid of Ashley then wish he’d stayed? My biggest concern is obviously Rafa. If they want a hands on approach, will he say ‘this isn’t why I signed’ and walk?

US Haha fair one frustrated may be a better word tbf but honestly the window is barely open and the players are on their jollies if by preseason we’ve signed no one then we will be behind plans no doubt but right now we are in the same spot as pretty much every other club

Rotonda Heights – I believe my mate said he was speaking to someone at a soliciting company that has overseen this deal. Told me the contracts are signed and everything is done. He didn’t know why nothing had been mentioned. Like I say, he mentioned it just after the end of the season. Im sure I read a quote in the chronicle the other night about Ashley speaking about this interest with Rafa in their end of season meeting. I think they are just slowly filtering the news out of the club, letting it drip out like a leaky tap – little bit at a time. Im sure my mate said some rich arabs where behind this, but at the moment all ive heard mentioned is germans, yanks or chinese.

I dont have anymore information unfortunately. Time will tell I suppose

League Placement

health update

I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in February 2017 and completed four months of chemotherapy in late July and will continue to have hormone treatment.

The cancer spread in the bones but it has been stabilized and has not spread further.

I am still recovering from some of the side effects of the chemo treatment - it's mainly severe fatigue and exhaustion.

Stage 4 cancer is not curable so I will continue to have cat scans and bone scans every four months to ensure the cancer is not spreading.

It is as it is - these things happen - and I will do my very best under the circumstances.

Ed Harrison

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